OTHER communities might well follow the example of a thriving Herefordshire village whose local pub has officially become the jewel in its crown.

For centuries Dilwyn’s Crown Inn had been at the heart of the village, but lost its lustre after a series of managers and tenants came – and went – since it was saved for the community by the parish council seven years ago.

Now the 16th century inn is in the capable hands of Maria Franzen and her partner, Italian chef Max Evilio and the Crown Inn has been proclaimed Herefordshire’s best pub of the season by CAMRA, a rare accolade as the couple only took over six months ago.

They were working at the Black Lion in Hay-on-Wye when opportunity knocked for them to manage the Dilwyn pub, and in August they took over the tenancy. Their credentials ticked all the boxes and the parish council has welcomed them with relish. Councillor John Gerrish, a leading force in saving the village primary school from closure in 2011, believes the arrival of Maria and Max is nothing short of “magic”.

Maria has strong local connections, and a large family network with wide experience in the hospitality trade to give the Crown a new sparkle. Just down the road her grandparents, Daphne and Franz Franzen have heaps of hands-on know-how having run the Balance pub at Luston for 18 years. Meanwhile Maria’s sister, Lisa, who worked at an Oxfordshire hotel has joined the team, and for good measure their sisters, Vicky and Anna are both professional chefs.

“We spent our childhood in Dilwyn,” says Maria, whose family live in Leominster. “I’d wanted to come back for a while and the parish council wanted the pub to be run, so now I’ve come home – big time!”

Councillor Gerrish explains how the Crown was bought in 2012 for £250,000. An application for funding to the Government-run Public Works Loan Board impressed former Secretary of State, Eric Pickles and he duly granted £325,000 to buy and renovate the pub.

“The whole village turned out to do the clear up and three tractor and trailer-loads of debris were taken away,” he says. “It took a month to get it ready to open, it was very much a community effort.” Over the past six years there has been a “succession of more or less failures” running the Crown, he explains. “Now thanks to the magical appearance of Maria and Max, we’re looking forward to a blissful future!”

Delighted with the response they have already received, the couple are planning more beer festivals – the first one, held just three months into their tenancy proved a great success – and music events too. A large garden and play area will also make the Crown a popular venue for families.